Washington DC DUI Consequences
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If you’re like most drivers, you already know that drinking and driving is illegal. Nevertheless, if you are one of the thousands of motorists who are arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in the Washington DC area, you may not realize just how serious the offense is. A drunk driving conviction carries a number of severe criminal penalties—and like every other area in the United States, Washington DC DUI consequences are made up of very stringent sentencing guidelines.
When it comes to DUI, the sentence for a first-time offender typically includes a $300 fine, six-month license suspension, and up to a 90-day jail sentence. If you have a prior conviction on your record, however, a second DUI could lead to up to $5,000 in fines, a one-year license suspension, and/or a year of jail time. In addition to these penalties, you may also be required to perform community service and get an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle—which means you won’t be able to operate your vehicle until you pass a breath test.
If you think the penalties listed above are harsh, consider this: a third DUI conviction carries a $2,000 to $10,000 fine, minimum two-year license suspension, and 10-day to one-year jail sentence. You can also expect to perform at least 60 days of community service and/or maintain an ignition interlock device for a year or more.
Of course, the court-imposed penalties are not the only things you should consider if you are convicted of drunk driving. Whether you are a first-time offender or have a long history of driving under the influence, a DUI conviction will remain on your criminal record forever. Unfortunately, this can cause serious problems in the future, particularly when you look for a new job, attempt to find housing, or even apply to a college or university.
Last but not least, a DUI conviction may also lead to long-term financial difficulty. Along with paying hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines and penalties, you may experience a loss in income due to time away from work. Plus, if your sentence includes any third-party requirements, you will also be responsible for any expenses related to those penalties (such as the cost of maintaining an ignition interlock device, for example). And, you can expect to pay far more for auto, life, and health insurance for several years or more if you have a DUI conviction on your record.
The good news is that being arrested for drunk driving does not mean you will be convicted of the offense in criminal court. Each year, thousands of drivers like you are able to successfully challenge their arrest and reduce or avoid the consequences of a DUI conviction. To improve your chance of success, complete our convenient online form to schedule a free case evaluation with a skilled DUI defense attorney in your area. Since there’s no obligation or cost, you have nothing to lose—so submit your information online today to start working on your defense.
